While the NFL Draft is an exciting time for the prospects hoping to hear their names get called, as well as for the fans in attendance and watchin from home, it also is a time for current NFL players to potentially be worried about their team possibly drafting their eventual replacement. The NFL is a “what have you done recently” league and if players don’t produce, the front office could be looking for someone who will.
The Buffalo Bills had a dominant draft on the defensive side of the ball and while fans should be excited about the future in Buffalo, there are some players on the roster who should be a little worried about their future with the Bills.
3 players who should be concerned about Bills' 2025 draft class
DT DeWayne Carter
Buffalo’s third round pick from last year had a rough rookie season in 2024. He missed significant time due to a wrist injury and then missed a lot of action at the end of the season. The Bills drafted him in hopes that he could develop behind DaQuan Jones as a true 1-technique. However, the Bills’ draft strategy may have thrown a wrench into DeWayne Carter’s future in Buffalo just a bit.
It’s not the fact that the Bills drafted T.J. Sanders and Deone Walker, it’s the fact that the Bills traded up to get both of them. They jumped up 15 spots in the second round to acquire Sanders, and they jumped up 23 spots to get Walker.
Buffalo got themselves two young defensive tackles who can play a true 1-techinque. Bringing them both in puts pressure on Carter heading into training camp. Not necessarily to earn a roster spot, but to earn playing time which could very much impact a roster spot for him in the future.
DE A.J. Epenesa
Over the last three seasons, A.J. Epenesa has recorded atleast six games in each season making him a valuable rotational edge rusher. However, Greg Rousseau is the future and Joey Bosa was brought in through free agency to cause havoc. So, you have Epenesa, Javon Solomon, and Michael Hoecht as the veterans. Now you add in Landon Jackson who was drafted by the Bills in the third round.
Obviously, Epenesa won’t necessarily be released but because he has one year left on his deal. Solomon is heading into the second year of his rookie contract and Hoecht signed a three-year deal this past free agency. So, if Landon Jackson can outperform Epenesa in the summer, don’t be surprised if Epenesa becomes a potential trade candidate.
CB Tre'Davious White
The Bills and Tre’Davious White reunited on a one-year deal after Buffalo released him last offseason. There was no question that the Bills needed help at corner and bringing White back gives them a little stability. However, the Bills drafted three cornerbacks including Maxwell Hairston in the first round.
The Bills also drafted Jordan Hancock and Dorian Strong on the third day and both of them bring a valuable play-style to the defense. Not to mention, the Bills also brought back Dane Jackson who is younger and more durable than White.
Even though White was a fan-favorite in Buffalo in his first stint with the team and was Sean McDermott’s first draft pick back in 2017, if he gets outshined by the young guys then he could be somewhere else once again instead of Buffalo.